Wednesday 15 August 2012

It takes a Village...


You know that saying "It takes a village to raise a child?"  That is so true, especially when you're a new parent.  In previous generations, new parents had a support network close by of family, neighbours and friends who could help out, offer advice, and give them a break if they needed it.  But nowadays, grandparents and family members may be in a different town or a different country, we don't always know our neighbours, and there's so much information out there in our wired world, it can be downright scary to consider how you're going to raise your child!

When I had my first baby, none of my close friends I grew up with had kids yet, and I was an only child, so I didn't have any experience with younger siblings.  Sure, I'd babysat as a teenager, but it's definitely a whole new ball game when it's your own baby! 

I was immensely thankful when I found Kindermusik and met other parents who were experiencing the same joys and challenges of having a new child.  We continued with many of those babies and parents through the levels of Kindermusik and into preschool, and at age 5, my daughter is still friends with some of them! 

In Kindermusik Village classes, the sense of community is just as important as the music!  The babies benefit from socializing with each other, learning from each other, and having special one-on-one time with their parent (or grandparent, or caregiver!).  The adults also have the chance to socialize, make friends, and enjoy special time bonding with their child.  In Village classes, you're not only building baby's brain through music and movement activities, you're also building a toolkit of ways to relate to, calm and soothe your child. 

It really does take a village to raise a child...come join us in a Village class and see how much you and your baby can grow together!

Classes begin September 15th....click here to enroll now!


Saturday 4 August 2012

An Olympic Musical Moment

“Where words fail, music speaks.”

-children’s author Hans Christian Andersen

If your house is anything like ours, the Olympics have been taking centre stage this past week on the television.  When the Winter Olympics were in Vancouver, we watched (we even got to see the Olympic flame when it came through our town), but this is the first year that my daughter is really old enough to "get it" and understand a bit about what the Olympics are all about.  She's watched the many different sports with interest (and asked lots of questions!), and is very keen on watching the little segments about the Olympians and their journeys to the Games. 

But most of all, she's been waiting.  Wanting to know when they were going to play "our song" for the Canadian team.  She has been dutifully practicing "O Canada" all over the house (with her little sister happily accompanying her, with much flag-waving and banging on her little drum).

Today, she got her chance, when Canada got its first gold medal.  

Listening to the national anthem played, she watched as the flag was raised.  And at 5 years old, she somehow understood what most adults take for granted: that it's not just about winning medals or being "the best".  The Olympics are about people coming together, and fairness, and mutual respect.  And that the music being played was more than just a song, it represents our country, and the ideals that we aspire to.  

And that's the great thing about music - it's so much more than just some notes on a page.  Just like the athletes at the Games, music has the power to inspire, to teach, and to bring people together.  

So, how about you?  What music inspires you and your family?   

Wednesday 1 August 2012

We're up and running! (And bouncing, singing and dancing!)


I'm so pleased to announce that our site is up and running at http://www.kindermusik.com/legacy/classes/classlocator.aspx

Our class schedule is listed and you can register right there!

We'll be starting our semester with Village and Our Time in September, adding a Family Time class in October, and a Sign & Sing class in November. Wondering what these classes are all about?  Check out http://www.kindermusik.com/classes/ for more information :-)

If you have questions, please leave me a message here or at
kindermusikwithmissmegan AT yahoo.ca

I can't wait to share the joy of music with you and the special little ones in your life!